As a child and later as a young adult, there’s nothing worse than the sinking feeling of running smack into a “Back To School” promotion in a store or seeing your first commercial pop up on television during summer break. And every year that dreaded moment of realization seems to come sooner and sooner.

I used to think that parents and families must be elated when these promotions and commercials finally roll around every year – it means that the house will soon be quiet again, and normal routines are back in swing.

But I don’t think there’s ever a time that parents dread more than moving their child back to campus – it’s disgustingly hot, things are heavy, and there’s people everywhere. Plus, maybe you’re a tad sad that your loved one is heading away from home again.

Starting July 1, Bed, Bath and Beyond offers families a list of what items are allowed and blacklisted by each college’s dormitories. Can’t quite fit that portable backyard grill in your truck? Trying to squeeze that enormous selection of votive candles in a suitcase? Make sure the items you are packing are good to go, and save yourself from the agony of having to repack them if they are not.

But the best perk by far which every family should take advantage of is the “Pack & Hold” service – students are able to create a registry of items in any retail location and then magically pick up these items at another Bed, Bath and Beyond anywhere in the U.S.

Did I mention it’s free, too?

As a incoming college freshman, I can’t tell you how amazing it felt to waltz around the store and put together a laundry list of small necessities and must-have items that I could simply pick up at a later date – making my move from the Northeast to Florida that much easier. It’s like having a fairy grandmother pack up all the things you don’t want to have to pack and delivering it to your new home, free.

With this tip in mind, here is our list of kitchen items that we know will change your student’s life when it comes to cooking at college – and save yourself from the stress of having to pack them up, too.

This 26-piece Rubbermaid container set is the best way to maximize leftovers and encourage your student to prep some quick meals rather than blow cash on sad campus snacks. Extra bonus: these lids are compatible with all of the set’s containers, so don’t stress if you lose one…or two.

There’s no point in denying it – your child will get hooked on caffeine almost immediately after leaving home, if they aren’t already. And instead of yelling at them for spending absurd amounts of money on triple shot espressos at 4 a.m., get this for them instead. It’s a win-win, really.

While we know that you definitely don’t need an entire machine to make iced coffee, spoil them with this gadget. It’ll make them feel special enough to skip the Starbucks, Dunkin, Gloria Jean’s, you-name-it national coffee chain on campus.

The water bottle has become a 21st century beacon of self-expression for all intellectuals on campuses across America. Give your student this sturdy yet portable CamelBak water bottle at the beginning of the year and watch them explore their identities all over that thing (if you’re a cool Mom, tell them that RedBubble is a great place to look for stickers and decals).